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Program Description
The major in Professional Photography is a professional undergraduate degree in photography designed to provide in-depth, formal education that will prepare students for careers in client-based professional photography or related fields. Students enrolled in the program will acquire practical skills and learn creative techniques relevant to professional photographic image making. The degree program focuses on building and synthesizing career oriented competencies essential to photographers' professional, intellectual, and cultural lives.
The learning objectives and essential competencies of the Professional Photography major align with NASAD standards for undergraduate professional degrees. NASAD is the professional agency responsible for accrediting Penn State's art and design programs within the College of Arts and Architecture. This B. Des. in Professional Photography also addresses student career success and economic development.
What is Photography?
Photography involves using image making technologies to take visual samples of the world around us to create responses, representations, and interpretations that cause us to think about what we see, and to question what we know. This creative and critical practice emerges from innumerable motivations that arise from a deep-felt desire for personal expression, or a belief that visual arts and design can influence how we encounter and understand everyday life. Whether exploring and applying photography as a means of responding to personal ideas and issues, or using image making to meet a client’s expectations, the discipline requires a range of specialized knowledge and skills in the use of tools, techniques, technologies, and processes to enable working from a concept to finished photographic forms. Hence, developing your individual visual language as a photographer involves mastery of materials, equipment, and processes, and developing a vision of aesthetic forms, functions, and content relationships.
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Your personal interests and professional aspirations are inspired by the power of photography to reach into our lives to capture the diversity, complexity, and humanity. Virtually all visual information we encounter online and in print media relies on photography to communicate content in visually stimulating and aesthetically pleasing ways. Although photographic images are found in many disciplines, the art of photography remains firmly embedded within the imagination of seeing.
Entrance to Major
Admission to the major in Professional Photography is determined by a portfolio review by faculty after the completion of: PHOTO 200 or PHOTO 202 and PHOTO 201.
Entrance Procedures
Students interested in pursuing Professional Photography (B.DES) should follow the appropriate first year, change of major, or transfer application instructions found under Visual Arts at https://arts.psu.edu/how-to-apply/#specific.
Retention Requirements
Retention will be determined though verification of sustained academic growth as demonstrated by earning of grades of C or higher within the major. Failure to do so is grounds for an academic warning, with clear written strategies and a time frame for the student to return to good standing.
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Design degree in Professional Photography a minimum of 120 credits are required:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 45 |
| Electives | 15 |
| Requirements for the Major | 60 |
Requirements for the Major
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major. To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn at least a C grade in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| PHOTO 201/ARTH 250 | A Chronological Survey of Photography | 3 |
| PHOTO 202 | Fundamentals of Professional Photography  | 3 |
| PHOTO 301 | Beyond Photoshop: Techniques in Digital Photographic Imaging | 3 |
| PHOTO 303 | Professional Photography: Studio Technique and Photocomposition | 3 |
| PHOTO 401 | Fashion Photography | 3 |
| PHOTO 404 | Professional Photography Capstone Seminar: Self-Marketing and Professional Presence | 4 |
| PHOTO 406 | Product Photography | 2 |
| PHOTO 407 | Portrait Photography | 2 |
| PHOTO 495 | Internship | 1 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 21 credits from the following: | 21 | |
| Arts Marketing | ||
| Arts Entrepreneurship and the Law | ||
AA 325 | ||
| Arts Entrepreneurship Capstone Research Project | ||
| Commentary on Art | ||
| Introduction to Digital Art and Design Criticism | ||
| Seminar in Contemporary Art | ||
| Photojournalism | ||
| Photography for the Mass Media | ||
| Introduction to Graphic Design | ||
| Graphic Design Studio I | ||
| Typography | ||
| Design Photography | ||
| Foreign Studies--Photo | ||
| Introduction to Photography | ||
| Culture of Photography | ||
| Foreign Studies--Photo | ||
| Photo Studio I | ||
| Introduction to Architectural Photography | ||
| Internship | ||
| Independent Studies | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Foreign Studies--Photo | ||
| Photo Studio II | ||
| Professional Photography: Studio Technique and Photocomposition | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Foreign Studies--Photo | ||
| Digital Photography in the Studio | ||
| Photographic Narratives | ||
| Creative Projects in Photography | ||
| Photographing Motion and Athletic Events | ||
| Internship | ||
| Independent Studies | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Foreign Studies--Photo | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 15 credits from any of the following areas in consultation with an adviser (Must include 6 credits from history of the arts): | 15 | |
a. Architecture (ARCH) | ||
b. Art (ART) | ||
c. Art Education (AED) | ||
d. Art History (ARTH) | ||
e. Arts and Architecture (A&A) | ||
f. Communications (COMM) | ||
g. Communications Arts and Sciences (CAS) | ||
h. Graphic Design (GD) | ||
i. Integrative Arts (INART) | ||
j. Landscape Architecture (LARCH) | ||
k. Theatre (THEA) | ||
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Arts (GA): 3 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 3 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
Integrative Studies
- Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits
Exploration
- GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
- GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Liz Agler
Academic Adviser
104 Borland Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-9523
ect113@psu.edu
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2024-25 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.
Professional Photography, B.Des. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PHOTO 202#* | 3 | PHOTO 201*# | 3 |
| ENGL 15, 15A, or 30H (GWS)‡ | 3 | Supporting Course*2 | 3 |
| ART 11 (or First-Year Seminar) | 1 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course (US/IL) | 3 |
| General Education Course (GQ)‡ | 3 | General Education Course (GQ)‡ | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| General Education Course | 3 | ART 122Y or 211Y* | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | CAS 100 (GWS)‡ | 3 |
| Supporting Course*2 | 3 | PHOTO 303* | 3 |
| Supporting Course*2 | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Supporting Course*2 | 3 | Supporting Course*2 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PHOTO 301* | 3 | PHOTO 401* | 3 |
| Additional Course for Major (see list)*1 | 3 | PHOTO 495* | 1 |
| General Education Course (US/IL) | 3 | ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D (GWS)‡ | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | Additional Course for Major (see list)*1 | 3 |
| Additional Course for Major (see list)*1 | 3 | Supporting Course*2 | 3 |
| Elective | 2 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PHOTO 406* | 2 | PHOTO 404 | 4 |
| PHOTO 407* | 2 | Additional Course for Major (see list)*1 | 3 |
| Additional Course for Major (see list)*1 | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 14.5 | 14.5 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
- 1
Additional Courses: Select 21 credits from the following list (AA 322, AA 324, AA 325, AA 424, ART 122Y, ART 211Y, ART 411, COMM 269, COMM 469, GD 100, GD 200, GD 201, GD 300, PHOTO 99, PHOTO 100, PHOTO 101, PHOTO 199, PHOTO 200, PHOTO 210, PHOTO 295, PHOTO 296, PHOTO 297, PHOTO 299, PHOTO 300, PHOTO 397, PHOTO 399, PHOTO 400, PHOTO 402, PHOTO 405, PHOTO 410, PHOTO 495, PHOTO 496, PHOTO 497, & PHOTO 499)
- 2
Supporting Courses and Related Areas (15 credits):
Select 15 credits from any of the following areas in consultation with an adviser (must include 6 credits from history of the arts):
- Architecture
- Art
- Art Education
- Art History
- Arts and Architecture
- Communications
- Communication Arts and Sciences
- Graphic Design
- Integrative Arts
- Landscape Architecture
- Theatre
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.
Career Paths
The B. Des. degree in Professional Photography will give you a comprehensive orientation to the diverse field of photography by strengthening your technical, creative, and intellectual competencies and capabilities. Your experience in this program will ensure you are well prepared to identify and create professional quality images for photographic applications in a wide variety of disciplines and careers. This professionally directed degree is consistent with the university’s imperative of improving your career success, opportunities for professional development, and the impact you can make to the cultural economy.
Careers
The creation and use of photographic images has increased exponentially since the development of digital photography in the mid 1990s and you will encounter the use of photographic images across all disciplines and in many professional careers. Advanced camera and software technology has made taking and editing photographs substantially easier and the quality achieved among practitioners has dramatically increased. Our goal is to help you achieve a balanced approach in acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge to develop your confidence and attitude in being able to pursue your professional interest in photography.
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
A capstone photography project serves as both a culminating experience and a creative and critical assessment that will help you identify the distinctive look of your portfolio. Through peer review, and input from faculty who are all exhibiting photographic artists, you will receive mentoring about career options and further educational opportunities, such as applying for graduate school.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES
Professional Resources
Accreditation
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS ACCREDITATIONS